Work for Economic Justice

Recently, some friends and I watched Life and Debt. It's such a great film, an excellent critique of how the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are destroying Jamaica's economy in ways that simultaneously support, stabilize and encourage economic growth in countries like the US. Unfortunately, the economic situation in Jamaica is similar to that of many other countries, so Life and Debt serves as an modern economic biography not only of Jamaica, but of many of the countries in the global South and elsewhere.

The first time I saw this documentary I only watched the first third of the film and was frustrated because I didn't know how to resist or subvert these world financial organizations that only seem to exaggerate economic disparities and counteract efforts at social justice. I did not have an answer to the question, "So what can I do?" But, thankfully, in the months since, I watched the rest of the film and have come up with lots of ideas. Here are just a few:

* Buy local food and goods. Not only do you support your local economy and reduce pollution, but you get fresher and better food.

* Volunteer your time and skills with an organization that works toward economic and social justice.

* Engage the media and hold them accountable for the stories they choose to present and the ways in which they present them.

* Engage your elected officials and hold them accountable for what they do. They are supposed to represent YOU, so make sure they do so.

* Pay off your debts so you'll have more money to support the causes that really matter and the organizations that make a difference.

* Shop with a purpose for the things you need and support your favorite non-profit organization at the same time.

* Invest responsibly so that your money is not used to increase economic disparities but instead is used to achieve social and economic justice.

* Buy fair trade food and goods from companies that pay their workers a living wage and do not rely on sweatshops.

* Live ethically and do the right thing even when it's unpopular, uncommon, unexpected or inconvenient; make sure your lifestyle reflects your values.

Check out some of my other content for more ways to make a difference. You'll find work you can do directly and ways to support others who are doing good work. There are many organizations that work for social justice and they have numerous ways to get involved and make a difference. Learn more about free trade and fair trade, debt and development, globalization and democratization, and more. Sign up for free electronic newsletters and action alerts that will periodically remind you of the work that needs to be done and tell you how to do it. Engage in letter-writing, boycotts, and other campaigns to change economic policy in the US and elsewhere. Most importantly, take the small steps that everyone can do to decrease economic disparities and work for social and economic justice in your community and in your world.